The smallest interval used in Western music is the half step. A visual representation of a half step would be the distance between a consecutive white and black note on the piano. There are two exceptions to this rule, as two natural half steps occur between the notes E and F, and B and C.
A whole step is the distance between two consecutive white or black keys. It is made up of two half steps.
external image step_keyboard.gif
Between C to C# is a half step (semitone or minor 2nd), another semitone between white notes is from E to F.
White notes that have a black note in between them, the interval is a tone (major 2nd or whole step)
How to count steps?
external image IntervalFig1.png
as you see here, from B to D there are 3 steps, so the interval is 3rd
from F to D, there are 6 steps, so the interval is 6th.
intervals.jpg
Exercises : Name the intervals below:
interval_1.jpg
Major and Minor Intervals
Seconds, thirds, sixths, and sevenths can be major intervals or minor intervals. The minor interval is always a half-step smaller than the major interval.
Major and Minor Intervals
external image step_keyboard.gif
1 half-step = minor second (m2)
2 half-steps = major second (M2)
3 half-steps = minor third (m3)
4 half-steps = major third (M3)
A whole step is the distance between two consecutive white or black keys. It is made up of two half steps.
Between C to C# is a half step (semitone or minor 2nd), another semitone between white notes is from E to F.
White notes that have a black note in between them, the interval is a tone (major 2nd or whole step)
How to count steps?
as you see here, from B to D there are 3 steps, so the interval is 3rd
from F to D, there are 6 steps, so the interval is 6th.
Exercises :
Name the intervals below:
Major and Minor Intervals
Seconds, thirds, sixths, and sevenths can be major intervals or minor intervals. The minor interval is always a half-step smaller than the major interval.
Major and Minor Intervals
1 half-step = minor second (m2)
2 half-steps = major second (M2)
3 half-steps = minor third (m3)
4 half-steps = major third (M3)
Listen to the minor second, major second, minor third, major third,
Exercise 2 : major 3rd or minor 3rd?